US6575980B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for femoral resection
Assignee: Orthopedic Innovations Inc
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Filing: 1999-07-28
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Granted: 2003-06-10
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Expires: 2019-07-28
Abstract
Abstract An instrument is provided for use in shaping a femur preparatory to implantation of a knee prosthesis. A gap checking device is fixed to the distal end of the patient's femur and referenced to the epicondyles of the femur. The gap checking device includes slots through which a cutting instrument can be passed to shape the femur so that it can receive the femoral component of the prosthesis. One of the slots enables the distal femoral cut to be made. The thickness of the gap checking device is selected so that the distance between the distal femoral cut and the distal surface of the gap checking device plus the thickness of a shim resting on the cut proximal tibia surface is equal to the combined thickness of the tibial and femoral components of the prosthesis. This enables balancing of the ligaments to be checked before the femoral cuts are made, but while the gap checking device is secured to the femur.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce Robie
- 👤 Jordan Ryalls
- 👤 Joseph Lipman
- 👤 Albert H. Burstein
- 👤 Thomas P. Sculco
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/14; A61B17/15; A61B17/154; A61B17/155; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of shaping a femur preparatory to implanting a knee prosthesis having respective femoral and tibial components, said method comprising the steps of: applying a gap checking device to the distal end of the femur prior to resection, the thickness of the device corresponding in a predetermined way to the thickness of said femoral and tibial components; checking the gap; and shaping the distal end of the femur for the purpose of receiving the femoral component of said knee prosthesis after the gap has been checked.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of shaping a femur preparatory to implanting a knee prosthesis having respective femoral and tibial components, said method comprising the steps of: applying a gap checking device to the distal end of the femur prior to resection, the thickness of the device corresponding in a predetermined way to the thickness of said femoral and tibial components; checking the gap; and shaping the distal end of the femur for the purpose of receiving the femoral component of said knee prosthesis after the gap has been checked.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said gap checking device is referenced to epicondyles of the knee.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said shaping step comprises passing a cutting device through slots in said gap checking device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 3 , further comprising the step of fastening a slot extender to said gap checking device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 4 , wherein said shaping step comprises passing a cutting device through slots in said gap checking device and said slot extender.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
A gap checking device for checking ligament balance prior to resection of a femur and use in shaping the distal end of the femur preparatory to implantation of a knee prosthesis which includes femoral and tibial components, comprising: a curved base adapted to extend from the anterior of the femur around the distal end to the posterior of the femur and receive the distal end of the femur prior to resection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
A gap checking device for checking ligament balance prior to resection of a femur and use in shaping the distal end of the femur preparatory to implantation of a knee prosthesis which includes femoral and tibial components, comprising: a curved base adapted to extend from the anterior of the femur around the distal end to the posterior of the femur and receive the distal end of the femur prior to resection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A gap checking device according to claim 6 , wherein said base is adapted so as to check ligament balance in any position of flexion and extension, while secured to the distal end of the femur.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A gap checking device according to claim 6 , wherein said base is adapted so as to check ligament balance in at least three positions of flexion, while secured to the distal end of the femur.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A gap checking device according to claim 6 , wherein said base has at least one slot defined therein through which a cutting device can be passed therethrough to form at least one resect in the distal end of the femur.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
126 words
A gap checking device for checking ligament balance prior to resection of a femur and use in shaping the distal end of a femur preparatory to implantation of femoral and tibial components of a knee prosthesis, comprising: a curved base adapted to extend from the anterior of the femur around the distal end to the posterior of the femur and receive the distal end of the femur prior to resection; and a shim disposed proximate an outer surface of said base, said base and shim having a combined predetermined thickness so that when said base is secured to the distal end of the femur the gap separating the femur and tibia is maintained substantially equal to the separation when the femoral and tibial components are implanted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
126 words
A gap checking device for checking ligament balance prior to resection of a femur and use in shaping the distal end of a femur preparatory to implantation of femoral and tibial components of a knee prosthesis, comprising: a curved base adapted to extend from the anterior of the femur around the distal end to the posterior of the femur and receive the distal end of the femur prior to resection; and a shim disposed proximate an outer surface of said base, said base and shim having a combined predetermined thickness so that when said base is secured to the distal end of the femur the gap separating the femur and tibia is maintained substantially equal to the separation when the femoral and tibial components are implanted.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
125 words
A gap checking device for use in shaping the distal end of a femur preparatory to implantation of femoral and tibial components of a knee prosthesis, comprising: a curved base adapted to receive the distal end of the femur prior to resection, said base having at least one slot defined in said base and adapted so that a cutting device can be passed therethrough to form a distal cut in the femur; and a shim disposed proximate an outer surface of said base, said base and shim having a combined predetermined thickness so that when secured to the distal end of the femur the gap separating the femur and tibia is maintained substantially equal to the separation when the femoral and tibial components are implanted.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
125 words
A gap checking device for use in shaping the distal end of a femur preparatory to implantation of femoral and tibial components of a knee prosthesis, comprising: a curved base adapted to receive the distal end of the femur prior to resection, said base having at least one slot defined in said base and adapted so that a cutting device can be passed therethrough to form a distal cut in the femur; and a shim disposed proximate an outer surface of said base, said base and shim having a combined predetermined thickness so that when secured to the distal end of the femur the gap separating the femur and tibia is maintained substantially equal to the separation when the femoral and tibial components are implanted.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of shaping a femur preparatory to implanting a knee prosthesis having respective femoral and tibial components, said method comprising the steps of: applying a gap checking device to the distal end of the femur prior to resection; checking the gap; and shaping the distal end of said femur so as to receive the femoral component of said knee prosthesis after the gap has been checked.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of shaping a femur preparatory to implanting a knee prosthesis having respective femoral and tibial components, said method comprising the steps of: applying a gap checking device to the distal end of the femur prior to resection; checking the gap; and shaping the distal end of said femur so as to receive the femoral component of said knee prosthesis after the gap has been checked.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
100 words
A gap checking device for use in shaping the distal end of a femur preparatory to implantation of a knee prosthesis including femoral and tibial components, comprising: a base having a curved inner surface adapted to fit around an uncut distal end of the femur and a curved outer surface being adapted so that when said base is connected to the femur, kinematics of the knee are substantially the same as kinematics of the implanted femoral and tibial components so as to check balancing of ligaments while said base is secured to said femur prior to resection of said femur.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
100 words
A gap checking device for use in shaping the distal end of a femur preparatory to implantation of a knee prosthesis including femoral and tibial components, comprising: a base having a curved inner surface adapted to fit around an uncut distal end of the femur and a curved outer surface being adapted so that when said base is connected to the femur, kinematics of the knee are substantially the same as kinematics of the implanted femoral and tibial components so as to check balancing of ligaments while said base is secured to said femur prior to resection of said femur.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
A gap checking device in accordance with claim 13 , wherein the kinematics of the knee and the kinematics of the implanted femoral and tibial components are substantially the same from full extension to approximately 90 degrees flexion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
A gap checking device in accordance with claim 13 , wherein the kinematics of the knee and the kinematics of the implanted femoral and tibial components are substantially the same from full extension to approximately 45 degrees flexion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
75 words
An intramedullary locating device, comprising: a first member having a track defined therein; a slider having a base and an aperture defined therein, said slider being displaceable within the track of said first member; an intramedullary rod adapted to be received through the aperture beyond the base and into the intramedullary canal of the femur; and a fixed paddle and a movable paddle, said paddles being disposed at a free end of said second member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
75 words
An intramedullary locating device, comprising: a first member having a track defined therein; a slider having a base and an aperture defined therein, said slider being displaceable within the track of said first member; an intramedullary rod adapted to be received through the aperture beyond the base and into the intramedullary canal of the femur; and a fixed paddle and a movable paddle, said paddles being disposed at a free end of said second member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
An intramedullary locating device in accordance with claim 16 , wherein said base further comprises an upstanding collar projecting from said base through which said intramedullary rod is received.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
An intramedullary locating device in accordance with claim 16 , further comprising a second member having a track defined therein, said first member being slidably displaceable in the track of said second member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
An intramedullary locating device in accordance with claim 17 , wherein said moveable paddle is oriented in one of two predetermined positions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
An intramedullary locating device in accordance with claim 19 , wherein said two predetermined positions are set to account for external rotation of a femoral component relative to a femur for right and left knees.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
An intramedullary locating device in accordance with claim 20 , wherein said upstanding collar is disposed at an angle between approximately 2 degrees and approximately 7 degrees relative to a reference axis perpendicular to a plane defined by said base.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for intramedullary alignment of a gap checking device, comprising the steps of: inserting an intramedullary rod into an intramedullary canal of a femur bone; applying an assembled gap checking device and intramedullary locating device to a distal end of the femur, said intramedullary locating device including a first member having a track defined therein, and a slider having a base and an upstanding collar projecting therefrom; passing said intramedullary rod through said upstanding collar of said intramedullary locating device; and displacing said slider within the track of said first member until said gap checking device is properly positioned on the distal end of the femur.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for intramedullary alignment of a gap checking device, comprising the steps of: inserting an intramedullary rod into an intramedullary canal of a femur bone; applying an assembled gap checking device and intramedullary locating device to a distal end of the femur, said intramedullary locating device including a first member having a track defined therein, and a slider having a base and an upstanding collar projecting therefrom; passing said intramedullary rod through said upstanding collar of said intramedullary locating device; and displacing said slider within the track of said first member until said gap checking device is properly positioned on the distal end of the femur.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 21 , said intramedullary locating device further comprising a second member with a track defined therein and two paddles, one of which is movable.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method in accordance with claim 23 , wherein said applying step further comprises the step of adjusting a position of one of two paddles to account for external rotation of a femoral component relative to the femur for a right versus a left knee.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method in accordance with claim 24 , wherein said applying step further comprises the step of displacing said first member within the track of said second member until said paddles contact posterior condyles of the femur.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method in accordance with claim 24 , further comprising adjusting an angular orientation of said upstanding collar relative to a plane defined by said base so as to set a varus/valgus orientation angle.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
108 words
An assembly for use in shaping the distal end of a femur preparatory to implantation of a knee prosthesis which includes femoral and tibial components, comprising: a gap checking device having a curved base adapted to receive the distal end of the femur prior to resection and secured thereto for checking ligament balance prior to resection of the femur; and an intramedullary locating device, comprising: a first member having a track defined therein; a slider having a base and an aperture defined therein said slider being displaceable within the track of said first member; and an intramedullary rod adapted to be received in the aperture of the base.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
108 words
An assembly for use in shaping the distal end of a femur preparatory to implantation of a knee prosthesis which includes femoral and tibial components, comprising: a gap checking device having a curved base adapted to receive the distal end of the femur prior to resection and secured thereto for checking ligament balance prior to resection of the femur; and an intramedullary locating device, comprising: a first member having a track defined therein; a slider having a base and an aperture defined therein said slider being displaceable within the track of said first member; and an intramedullary rod adapted to be received in the aperture of the base.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly in accordance with claim 27 , wherein said slider has an upstanding collar projecting from the base adapted to received said intramedullary rod.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
104 words
An assembly for use in shaping the distal end of a femur preparatory to implantation of a knee prosthesis which includes femoral and tibial components, comprising: a gap checking device having a base adapted to receive the distal end of a femur prior to resection and check ligament balance prior to resection of the femur; and an intramedullary locating device, comprising: a first member having a track defined therein; a slider having a base and an aperture defined therein, said slider being displaceable within the track of said first member; and an intramedullary rod adapted to be received in the aperture of the base.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
104 words
An assembly for use in shaping the distal end of a femur preparatory to implantation of a knee prosthesis which includes femoral and tibial components, comprising: a gap checking device having a base adapted to receive the distal end of a femur prior to resection and check ligament balance prior to resection of the femur; and an intramedullary locating device, comprising: a first member having a track defined therein; a slider having a base and an aperture defined therein, said slider being displaceable within the track of said first member; and an intramedullary rod adapted to be received in the aperture of the base.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly in accordance with claim 29 , wherein said slider further comprises an upstanding collar projecting from the base and adapted to receive said intramedullary rod.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
98 words
An assembly for use in shaping the distal end of a femur preparatory to implantation of a knee prosthesis, comprising: a gap checking device having a curved base adapted to receive the distal end of the femur prior to resection, said base having at least five slots defined therein; and an intramedullary locating device, comprising: a first member having a track defined therein; a slider having a base and an aperture defined therein, said slider being displaceable within the track of said first member; and an intramedullary rod adapted to be received in the aperture of the base.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
98 words
An assembly for use in shaping the distal end of a femur preparatory to implantation of a knee prosthesis, comprising: a gap checking device having a curved base adapted to receive the distal end of the femur prior to resection, said base having at least five slots defined therein; and an intramedullary locating device, comprising: a first member having a track defined therein; a slider having a base and an aperture defined therein, said slider being displaceable within the track of said first member; and an intramedullary rod adapted to be received in the aperture of the base.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly in accordance with claim 31 , wherein said slider further comprises an upstanding collar projecting from the base and adapted to receive said intramedullary rod.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
152 words
An assembly for use in shaping the distal end of a femur preparatory to implantation of a knee prosthesis including femoral and tibial components, comprising: a gap checking device including a base having a curved inner surface adapted to fit around an uncut distal end of the femur and a curved outer surface being adapted so that when said base is connected to the femur, kinematics of the knee are substantially the same as kinematics of the implanted femoral and tibial components so as to check balancing of ligaments while said base is secured to said femur prior to resection of said femur; and an intramedullary locating device, comprising: a first member having a track defined therein; a slider having a base and an aperture defined therein, said slider being displaceable within the track of said first member; and an intramedullary rod adapted to be received in the aperture of the base.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
152 words
An assembly for use in shaping the distal end of a femur preparatory to implantation of a knee prosthesis including femoral and tibial components, comprising: a gap checking device including a base having a curved inner surface adapted to fit around an uncut distal end of the femur and a curved outer surface being adapted so that when said base is connected to the femur, kinematics of the knee are substantially the same as kinematics of the implanted femoral and tibial components so as to check balancing of ligaments while said base is secured to said femur prior to resection of said femur; and an intramedullary locating device, comprising: a first member having a track defined therein; a slider having a base and an aperture defined therein, said slider being displaceable within the track of said first member; and an intramedullary rod adapted to be received in the aperture of the base.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assembly in accordance with claim 33 , wherein the kinematics of the knee and the kinematics of the implanted femoral and tibial components are substantially the same from full extension to approximately 90 degrees flexion.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assembly in accordance with claim 33 , wherein the kinematics of the knee and the kinematics of the implanted femoral and tibial components are substantially the same from full extension to approximately 45 degrees flexion.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly in accordance with claim 33 , wherein said slider further comprises an upstanding collar projection from the base and adapted to receive said intramedullary rod.
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